Italy celebrated the 150th anniversary of its unification yesterday (17 March) but the party continues all week. The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861 after military forces led by national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi conquered the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which at the time spread from Sicily to Naples. Garibaldi delivered the conquered territory to the King of Piedmont, Savoy and Sardinia, Victor Emanuel II, who then became the first King of Italy.

Whether it is Champagne from France, Prosecco from Italy, Sekt from Germany, Cava from Spain or my go to bubbly Sparkling Wines from California, I always feel like it is a party when the cork is popped and the bubbles tingle the tip of my nose. Most people wait for a reason to celebrate with champagne but if you start with champagne, life then turns into a party. Each day can have a reason to celebrate.